09/09/2014
YMCA RURAL CENTRES AND INSTITUTE OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT, MARTHANDAM
A Project of the National Council of YMCAs of India
“It is a matter of much gratification that Rural Reconstruction has after all secured a place in the conscience and imagination of the people of India. The very term Rural Reconstruction was YMCAs own coinage, today it is a slogan across our vast country”. These were the prophetic words of the Late Mr. K. T. PAUL, the first Indian National General Secretary and the Architect of the Rural Reconstruction Programme of the National Council of YMCAs of India.
The YMCA Rural Centres and Institute of Rural Development, Marthandam is a proud Project of National Council of YMCAs of India. It is the time to standing by concentrate and celebrate to the Centenary (100th Anniversary) Programme of YMCA Marthandam Rural Centres and Institute of Rural Development.
As early as 1916 YMCA was functioning in Marthandam as a Centre of Rural Work. People in this area were the poor and poorest. The policy of the YMCA was to give preferential treatment to the most needy and the expectation was that their support and involvement would be spontaneous. For the purpose of educating the people, the Rural Demonstration Centre was opened at Marthandam on 11th October 1924 under the leadership of Dr. Spencer Hatch, an agriculture expert, from Canada (Northern America). The Marthandam Centre became a "Light House" of Rural Reconstruction work for the whole country. Dr. K.T.Paul pleaded that India being a land of villages YMCAs expansion should have an eye on villages and the rural development should be given a central place in the agenda of the YMCA. It may be noted that such a programme occupied the centre stage of the movement before Mahatma Gandhi took up a similar mission to highlight the need for Gram Swaraj. In fact Gandhiji valued the contributions of Paul and asked Kamaraj to visit Marthandam to study the methods used by the YMCA for Rural Reconstruction. In 1937 Jawaherlal Nehru and his daughter Indhrira Gandhi were visited in Marthandam YMCA Demonstration Centre. In 1950 T.T. Krishnamachari, Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission was so fascinated by the YMCA experiment that he decided to incorporate the concept of Rural Reconstruction in the first five year plan. YMCA Rural Centres and Institute of Rural Development, Marthandam stands for the development of Character and total personality of the individual, the group and of the total Community. The center developed a comprehensive approach to the physical, mental, spiritual, social and economic needs of villagers of the area and hence it become one of the pioneering institutions in Rural Reconstruction works in India. The word Rural Reconstruction was coined by Mr.K.T.Paul. The purpose of Rural Reconstruction was to bring developments in Mental, Spiritual, Physical, Social and Economic aspects. On the basis of this Marthandam YMCA shaped 5 sided Triangles. Over the years, the Centre has grown and extended its rural service to the whole Kanyakumari District and even outside the district and state.
The word HONEY is synonymous with Marthandam. In the year 1924, Dr.Spencer Hatch, who was heading the YMCA Rural Centres, Marthandam during that period, found the existence of bees in the villages and in the hilly areas of South Travancore, brought the techniques of Bee-keeping from the home country and introduced among the poor villages around Marthandam as one of the self employment programme. It was well accepted by the villagers and they could realize the importance of this trade. Thus, the YMCA Rural Centres, Marthandam pioneered in the field of Apiary in the country. From then on, the YMCA has been conducting the training in Beekeeping. Now the YMCA Marthandam is known as a Honey Bowl of India. And also the word Co-operative movement was coined by this Centre. Those who undergo the any Rural Development or Social Work study in India or in Asia Countries they take it as a model.
YMCA Marthandam conducting Training in self-employment programmes like Bee-Keeping and Honey processing, Tailoring, Dress-Making and hand Embroidering, Food-Processing, Banana / Jute extraction, Banana / Jute Fibre Craft, Sericulture, Straw-Craft, Shell-Craft, Umbrella making, Fancy Bag making, Rexin Bag making, Computer training etc… Short training programmes are arranged in Kitchen Gardening, Soil Conservation, Mushroom Cultivation, Health and Family Welfare, Mother and Child Care, AIDS Awareness, Social Awareness, Organic farming, Leadership, Nutrition, Free-Legal-Aid, Medical prevention, A&R, SHG Training, EDP Training PMRY training and PMEGP etc…Village groups (Women & Men) SHGs are organized to get active participation and involvement of the Villagers in development activities. Village groups are open to irrespective of religion, caste and language. Small savings, self employment programmes, women awareness, health & sanitation and nutrition programmes are being promoted these Village groups. Over the year YMCA Marthandam Project had been closely intervening with the rural people for a holistic and sustainable development. In time with the paradigm shift in development approach-interfacing with government and other agencies are taken care of for a collaborative effort.
It is also an aided Bee keeping institution under KVIC from 1924 onwards. Still the YMCA Marthandam Project is working with DIC, Mahalir Thittam, KVIC, NABARD, DRDA, Ministry of Textiles & Handicraft, Ministry of MSME, Horticulture Vision, AD Town Panchayat and Other Govt. & Non Govt. Sectors at Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli, Tuticorin District and State level for the upliftment of the Rural and Urban Women & Men especially the Youth and the BPL people for their Socio, Economic & Political development. YMCA Marthandam also functioning as one of the Mitra (N.G.O) in Kanyakumari District under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium enterprises, Govt of India and extending a full handholding support for the first generation Udyamies (entrepreneurs).
RURAL RECONSTRUCTION
Rural Reconstruction was the main aim of Marthandam YMCA. It comprises of four folded programme namely,
Demonstration
Training
Extension
Marketing
DEMONSTRATION:
The term which states “the method of seeing and doing". The centre have started to demonstrate agricultural produce, livestock, Bee-hives and other accessories, poultry houses, eggs, tailoring, fibre work, sericulture, high breed cattles, palmyrah leaf products etc.
TRAINING:
The caption of this title is “Learning by Doing”. Marthandam Practical training School was started in the year of 1931.Training was given under the following topics
Poverty and its elimination
Poultry keeping
Weaving
Bee-keeping
Gardening
Cottage industries
In 1947 Rural Welfare Workers Training Institute was opened by Rural demonstration Centre Marthandam
EXTENSION:
During this period the Marthandam YMCA concentrated more on Child health, youth and women empowerment.
MARKETING:
Co-operative credit societies for carpenters, Palmgur, Mat production, Milk production were organized by the centre, sanctioned loans to the poor villagers. In 1957 Multipurpose co-operative Society was started and supplied good quality products. Marthandam Bee-keepers Co-operative Society was launched in the year 1937.
The present Rural Demonstration Centre at Marthandam was opened in 1924.
It is a pioneer institution in Rural Development.
In its early inception Spencer Hatch functioned as the Director, K.T.Paul functioned as a National General Secretary and they were assisted by one centre Secretary and one extension Secretary. Initially the demonstration centre has no infrastructural facilities. Hence they have taken one acre of land with a house near the Govt High school for monthly lease of Rs.20/-.
The demonstration centre has undergone a survey of villages to identify the particular needs of the village life. The survey was limited within the radius of three miles from the centre. The survey of livestock, poultry, cottage industries, Bee-keeping etc was an eye-opener for Rural development.
The findings of the survey helped the Marthandam centre to formulate the comprehensive approach towards effective Rural Reconstruction work.
The word Rural Reconstruction was coined by Mr.K.T.Paul.
The purpose of Rural Reconstruction was to bring developments in Mental, Spiritual, Physical, Social and Economic aspects. On the basis of this Marthandam YMCA shaped 5 sided triangle.
PROPERTIES & FARMS:
YMCA Marthandam Project having huge properties at Marthandam Centre 2 Acres, Muzhucode Centre 12 Acres, Kanyakumari Centre 2 Acres, Dharma Farm 26 Acres, Moododu Farm 14 Acres and Mukkuttukal Farm 3.5 Acres.
EXTENSION CENTRES OF YMCA MARTHANDAM PROJECT:
The most important aspect of the rural development work of the Marthandam Centre was its extension work. It was carried out not only through the village YMCAs in the extension area, but also through various rural reconstruction centres promoted by it. Two of such significant centres were Paraniyam and Oolanoor. These centres were started before the independence of India which came within the boundries of Kerala after the state reorganization. Four more Centres – Muzhucode, Manchalumood, Karambavilai and Kanyakumari were started after the independence to experiment, expand and implement successfully the national community development programmes launched through the five year plans, and also to run its pioneering rural work. At present the Muzhucode & Kanyakumari Centres are functioning under YMCA Marthandam as extension centres.
Muzhucode Institute of Rural Development Centre;
This was an extension centre of Marthandam YMCA. The land for Muzhucode Centre, nearly 12 acres was purchased in 1955. The purpose of the purchase was stated as "to serve as a base for agricultural demonstration for Young Men and Women" trained at Marthandam for rural service. The cost of the land was donated by International Committee of YMCAs of USA and Canada, as capital grant. An amount donated by Dr. Spencer Hatch to the Marthandam Centre was also utilized for the purchase of the land at Muzhucode. When the need of constructing a hostel for the Gramsevak trainees sponcerd by Government, came up, the Muzhucode land was choosen for that on 30th November 1956 the corner stone for the first building was laid by Emery Nelson of the International Committee. The hostel construction was completed in 1959 and was inaugurated on 23rd January by S.D. Malaiperuman, NGS, NCYI. The cost of construction was met by the Iternational Committee under its Building for Brotherhood (B.4.B) Project. Another two storeyed building was completed in 1962 with a hostel, a quarters for one of the secretaries' halls for accommodating agricultural school and conferences. The hostel was named as "The Brotherhood Hostel and was opened by Bishnuram Medhi, the Governor of Madras State. As the first enterprise at Muzhucode, a model poultry unit was started with the financial aid of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR). A poultry line breeding was also added to this unit with the help of Italian YMCA. On 27th April, 1957, Rasmussens, the General Secretary of YMCA Claveland visited Muzhucode and put foundation stone for the "Cottage Industries Institute". Under this section a Palmyra sugar manufacturing unit and a model Apiary were started. Development of agriculture was also carried on in the surrounding villages. For this, demonstration of better farming practices of agriculture was done at Muzhucode. An Agricultural school was started here, to give training to young men, with the help of 'World Neighbour's Organization'. The organization provided the service of an agricultural graduate in the school. More than 400 kitchen gardens were promoted in the villages and several 'Young Farmer's Clubs' were organized. Later the agriculyural development work was brought under the 'Freedom from Hunger' Campaign started under the project financed by Christian Aid, London. The aim of the project was "to demonstrate to the villagers food production through better agricultural techniques, better seeds, manure etc..." In 1963 the Government of India allowed a Public Co-operation Centre – Lok Karya Kshethra to Marthandam. The purpose was "to organize the systematic use of man power resources particularly in rural areas, for works of benefit to the Community as a whole". Several community development and social service activities were implemented by the LKK workers following the model of Marthandam Rural Demonstration Centre. Distribution of pure White Leghorn hatching eggs, Adult Education Centres, Digging of Well, Construction of approach road, Thatching of Houses, Chlorination of Wells, Making of Trench Latrines & Pit Latrines, Composite Pit Digging, Distribution of Seedlings, etc. were some of them. In all these activities special care was given on securing local people's participation. On the basis of the report submitted by the National Survey Commission the headquarters of the rural work also was shifted to Muzhucode in 1970. Thereafter the demonstration work was concentrated at Muzhucode. The buildings at Marthandam were then converted into hostels. All the rooms and guest house were let out and the inmates of the hostels, Boys Home were given facilities to play indoor and outdoor games. A good reading room was maintained and few public meetings and social gatherings were arranged at Marthandam. Then on 3rd January 1977, the 'National YMCA Institute of Rural Development' was inaugurated at Muzhucode by K.M. Philip, the President of World Alliance of YMCAs. It was according to the national plan for rural development approved by the Council in the 23rd triennial convention held at Madras. The activities were carried out on by three departments of the Institute namely: Department of Training, Department of Extension and Department of Evaluation and Rural Studies. The charge of the Institute was given to the director who was appointed by the National Council. R.S. Daniel was appointed as the first director. The Marthandam Centre and the Institute had their own programmes of training and extension, collaborating and supporting each other in programme activities. Following R.S. Daniel, K.C. Mathew became the director of the Institute from 14th March 1980 and he was succeeded by P.R. Michel. Then from October 1982 R.R.N. George the Executive Secretary of the Marthandam Centre started functioning as the director of the Institute also. Eventhough the Institute was started in 1977 with high expectations it did not function to that level. One of the important aims was to maintain it as an institute for giving training to YMCA rural workers, but during the seven years of it's functioning no YMCA deputed their rural workers for training while other agencies and the Government sent rural workers to get training in integrated rural development. Gradually the Institute ceased to function and it remained as an extension centre of Marthandam. At present a Tailoring, Craft work and Machine Embroidery classes for village girls and some skill training programmes are conducting to the SHG Women. Under Mahalir Thittam, Government of Tamil Nadu YMCA providing capacity building, finance management trainings to the PLF Members. There is a Boys Home functioning with 52 inmates and YMCA providing physical, psychological and educational needs of the poor boys from socially deprived, destitute, orphans, tribals, culturally backward and homeless under the financial support of Patengemeinschaft for Hungry Children, Germany.
Kanyakumari Rural Development Centre & NC Millennium Project;
The YMCA Rural Centre, Kanyakumari started in the name of K.M. Philip Kendra at Kanyakumari as an extension project of Marthandam YMCA was a landmark in the history of rural work in India implemented by the National Council of YMCAs. It was also called as the 'Lands End Project", the land for the project was purchased on 29th June, 1976 near the Sea Shore of Cape Comerin, a well known tourist centre of South India. This Centre was officially inaugurated by Dr. Robert Hallen of USA on 24th July, 1978. This campus was just a sandy dune with some thorny shrubs at the time of purchase was converted into an attractive place with vegetations and a beehive of activities within seven years. It was made possible through the hard work of the workers of the centre and the financial assistance provided by the Bread For the World Organization. A beautiful Chapel, retreat centre, few cottages and a library were constructed in the campus. The library received a donation of 3711 valuable books by Ranburly Library, London and it was named as Chris Memorial library. It was inaugurated on 1st August 1980. The programmes of this centre were mostly like those of the Marthandam Centre but the main thrust was "on involving rural women more on self employment programme and awareness education." The activities were carried on it thirty villages of Kanyakumari with the following objectives: "To create socio – political awareness of workers and villagers, To make the villagers critically aware of their problems and to guide them to solve those problems themselves, Giving training in skill development and organizing co-operatives, Organizing village sangams, cluster committees, women's sangams, boys and girls clubs etc, and Systematic evaluation and follow up work." Three dimensional activities were formulated to be implemented in the target area. 1) Community Development Education Programme 2) Health and Nutrition 3) Skill development and formation of Co-operatives. To impart training on handicrafts and rural development works "Joe Solomon Training Centre" was opened in the centre on 9th October, 1979 by Choo Min Lee of World Alliance of YMCAs. For the upliftment of downtrodden community Marthandam YMCA Project introduced the WEALTH FROM WASTE Scheme. At present with the support of Government of State and Center conducting various skill trainings and technical workshops on the basis of Natural Fibre Craft and producing lot of artisans through this field.
YMCA International Guest House & Programme Centre, Kanyakumari
YMCA International Guest House & Programme Centre, Kanyakumari is situated at K.M. Philip Kendra, Vivekanandapuram in a sylvan spacious campus with rich greenery, having an amalgamation of the East and the West, with rural semi-permanent structures signifying rural nostalgia and star culture. A unique feature of the campus is that unlike other lodging places, the campus is having an environment away from the din and bustles of the madding crowd, with ample space for sitting in the open area and enjoys Nature. The campus is just 200 meters from Kanyakumari railway station and about a kilometer from the Bus Terminus, which can be easily reached by taxi and autos round the clock.
YMCA International Guest House and Programme Centre at Kanyakumari is a unit of the YMCA Marthandam Project, which offers hygienic and comfortable accommodation at affordable and competitive rates for individuals, families and groups. An ideal restaurant in attached to it which makes a home away from the home.
It is a suitable place for those visiting Kanyakumari for tours, excursions, holidaying, sight seeing and for seminars, conferences, retreats, debates etc.
FACILITIES
The YMCA International Guest House and Programme Centre have 17 well-furnished double occupancy bath attached A/C and Non-A/C rooms.
The dormitory type of accommodation provides low budget lodging facilities for individuals and groups.
The Conference Hall (A/C and Non A/C) can accommodate 200 persons with an attached dining Hall and allied facilities as:
Telephone
Hot and Cold water
Room Service
Restaurant with quality food
Television with cable connection
Ample Car and Coach Parking
Travel and Transport Arrangements
Sight-seeing Tours
Doctors on Call
The YMCA International Youth Programme Centre & Guest House (NC Millennium Project, Kanyakumari) was inaugurated by Shri. M.M. Jacob, Governor of Meghalaya, on 10th May 2003, aided by ISH London. There are seventeen well furnished double occupancy bath attached A/c and Non A/c Rooms, A/c Conference Hall and Dormitory. These are not much enough for providing when the group encaged with our centre. So the present management committee with the initiatives of Dr. Rolland Williams, the President of NCYI has decided to go for the 2nd phase of 16 more rooms and laid the stone for 2nd floor construction on 18th January 2013.
The YMCA Rural Centre, Marthandam ably managed and administered by Management Committee comprises: Adv. D. Sunil Prakash, Chairman; Mr.J. Joe Prakash, Vice Chairman, Dr. D. Ebenezer, Hony. Treasurer; Mr. N. Anantha Dhas, Mr. P. Solomon, Mr. R. Chandra Jaya Kumar, Mr. H. Selvin Kanaga Rose, Mr. S. Jose Robi Wilson, Mr. P. Jeyaraj, Members, Mr. A. Manohar Sam, Executive Secretary and Mr. P. Sam Robert, Secretary.
OBJECTIVES:
To bring complete upward development of rural community.
To utilize the available resources at the maximum level.
To enhance individuality of rural people.
To improve health and sanitation of rural areas.
To upgrade the quality of agri products.
To give importance to cottage industries.
To implement income generation programme.
To create awareness in existing social issues.
To increase the literacy rate
To eradicate poverty
To fight against gender discrimination and low status of women
MAJOR PROGRAMMES
Bee-keeping and marketing
Natural Fibre Work
Self Help Group Formotion
Community based Herbal Garden
Boys Home for Homeless
Millennium Youth Programme
Recreation Centre
Yoga
Organic Farming
Tsunami Rehabilitation
Skill Training to the Youth & Women
Holistic Health Care
Marketing of High Quality Seeds and Seedlings
Tailoring and Embroidery
Entrepreneur Development Training
Reproductive and Child Health Care
Goat Rearing and Poultry
HIV/AIDS Awareness programme
Vocational Training
Summer Programmes
